Developing Teacher Leaders Using a Distributed Leadership Model: Five Signature Features of a School-University Partnership

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: Teaching in a Professional Development School Partnership

Abstract

This research describes the development of a teacher leader preparation program that emerged from a partnership between a university and a local high-needs district. Using a sociocultural approach, researchers conducted a needs assessment for teachers in the district. Drawing on this data and extant literature, researchers designed a program aimed at increasing opportunities for distributed leadership. The Beginning Teacher Project is built around five signature features, including: targeted professional development; ongoing dialogue; turnkey training; instructional decision-making; and, community engagement. This work traces the development of the program, including the data collection process, and describes the signature features in detail.

Authors

• Brie Morettini, Rowan University

• Lisa Jo Vernon-Dotson, Rowan University

• Kathryn Luet, Rowan University

• Nina Nagib, Rowan University

• Sharada Krishnamurthy, Rowan University